FAQs / Help
General Library FAQs
Baltic Flour Mills (pre-conversion) FAQs
Building/Architectural FAQs
Funding FAQs
Marketing FAQs
Research FAQs
Technical FAQs
GENERAL LIBRARY FAQs
Where is the library?
The Library is on Level 2 of BALTIC, behind the exhibition space and through our Learning Lounge.
When is the Library open?
The Library is open daily from 10.00 to 17.45
Can I take books out of the library?
No. The library is for reference only.
We also have an artists' book collection and a zine collection, viewable only by appointment.
We have photocopying, scanning and printing facilities for your convenience.
How much do you charge for photocopying, printing etc?
We welcome donations for using our printing and photocopying facilities.
Can I donate a book or zine to BALTIC Library?
If you would like to send in a publication to be considered for inclusion in our Library collection please note that we are a specialist contemporary art library with a collection that includes broader contemporary visual culture.
Any mail, donations and publication exchanges can be sent to:
Sarah Bouttell
Producer (Documentation, Library and Archive)
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
South Shore Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BA
sarahb@balticmill.com
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BALTIC FLOUR MILL (pre-conversion) FAQs
Do you have any information on the original buiding?
We have quite a lot of material on the original mill and are constantly trying to add to it. Try typing 'baltic flour mills' or 'baltic flour mills archive file' into the search bar for more details.
If you can't find what you are looking for on this database please contact the Archive where we will gladly tell you whether or not we hold the item(s)
Who designed the original building?
The Hull architects Gelder and Kitchen.
When was it built?
The decision was made to build on the derelict site of a former chemical works in 1938 but work was delayed due to WWII. Work finally commenced in 1946 and was completed by 1949. The Baltic Flour Mill was officially opened in 1950.
Facts and Figures?
When the mill completed it was the tallest building in Gateshead.
In 1957 a mill to process animal foodstuffs was added to the existing buildings
At one time the mill employed around 300 people; about 170 still worked there when it closed in 1982.
The Baltic Flour Mill was the first to be built after World War II by Rank Hovis
The immense silo building, which had a capacity of 20,00 tonnes, is the only remaining part of the original construction.
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BUILDING/ARCHITECTURAL FAQs
Can you tell me some more about the materials and finishes used in the building?
Lightweight anodised aluminium panels: used externally to clad new parts of the building, including the Viewing Box and the roof of the Riverside Building.
Cor-Ten steel panels: used to reform existing or missing parts of the original brick structure, including the towers at each corner. Cor-Ten is also used for the interior of the Riverside Building.
Slate: Ffestiniog slate used for the Ground Floor Art Space and the back wall of the Riverside Café/Bar.
Swedish pine: used for floor surfaces in all Art Spaces (apart from Ground Floor), artists' studios, the Rooftop Restaurant and the administration level.)
Glass: Used for the east and west façades of the building; the roof of the Level 4 Art Space; the west wall of the Viewing Box; the walls of the Rooftop Restaurant and the east wall of the Ladies' toilets on Level 6.
How big are the gallery/other spaces?
Net internal floor space (Gallery/Main Building): 8537m2
Net internal floor space (Riverside Building): 1442m2
Total arts programme space: 3290m2
Ground Floor
Ground Floor Art Space: 244m2 and 4.5m high
The only art space in the building with a slate (rather than a wooden) floor. Connected to artists' workshops, also at ground level.
Level 1
Total floor area of Level 1: 510m2
Level 1 Art Space: 324m2 and 7.4m high, with additional backstage area of 68m2 and 5.5m high
Level 1 Art Space is a flexible art, project and event space. Functions include live art space, screening room, gallery, auditorium and conference space. The space has capacity for up to 300 people (seated), is semi-acoustically isolated and has a full theatrical lighting rig.
Cinema/auditorium: 53m2. Fully acoustically isolated with seating for 54 people
Cube: A 53m2 'black box', with facility for projection onto the 4 walls, the ceiling and the floor.
Level 1A
NFM and staff area: 110m2and 2.15m high
Level 2
Level 2 Art Space: 182m2and 5.5m high
Library: 145m22.3m high
Level 2A
Office/Administration Space: 413m2 Including Archive: 52m22.3m high
Level 3
Level 3 Art Space: 745m2and 4.4m high
With full environmental control, designed to meet Museum and Gallery Commission specifications
Level 4
Level 4 Art Space: 745m2and 8.5m high
With natural light through roof glazing panels.
Level 5/6
Viewing Box: 135m2
The Viewing Box is a glazed, double-height space clad in anodised aluminium that cantilevers out 7m from the west façade of the Main Building. Can accommodate up to 70 people on two-levels.
Level 6
Rooftop Restaurant: 280m2
A 'glass box' suspended between the four towers of the building. The restaurant level is formed from trussed steelwork, with diagonally-braced external bays and a movement-resisting frame in the central bay.
There are 232 steps in the public stairwell that runs from the ground floor to level 6
What is the name of the company who supplied the Corten steel for the building?
Fabriek Van Plaatwerken Van Dam B.V
Benedenrijweg 186
2987 VZ Ridderkerk
P.O Box 3003
2980 DA Ridderkerk
Netherlands
0031 180441800
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FUNDING FAQs
How much did the conversion cost?
Total Project Cost: £45.7 million
Construction Cost: £24.8 million
(£33.4 million from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England)
Other funders:
Gateshead Council
Northern Arts
English Partnerships through One North East
European Regional Development Fund
Where does BALTIC get its money from?
Arts Council funding, donations from the public, corporate sponsorship, B.Partners, retail (shop, restaurant, café/bar, publications etc), venue hire, project sponsorship.
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MARKETING FAQs
What are your visitor numbers?
Visitor figures by financial year (records begin July 2002)
2002/3 - 630,000
2003/4 - 650,000
2004/5 - 455,000
2005/6 - 405,888
2006/7 - 391,479
2007/8 - 384,436
2008/9 - 344,379
2009/10 - 341,400
2010/11 - 373,630
2011/12 - 466,694
2012/13 - 575,574
2013/14 - 522,743
2014/15 - 515,666
2015/16 - 528,703
2016/17 - 517,233
2017/18 - 431,399
2018/19 - 504,397
BALTIC attracted 1 million visitors in its first 12 months of opening. In October 2005 visitor figures hit the 2 million mark. BALTIC welcomed its 3 millionth visitor Wednesday 9 July 2008 and its 5 millionth on 28 March 2013. In March 2019 we welcomed our 8 millionth visitor.
Do you have visitor numbers for specific exhibitions?
Yes. Here some samples. Please contact the Library and Archive if you have a specific exhibition not mentioned on the list. When viewing these figures please take into account things like seasonal peaks and length of exhibition.
Thomas Scheibitz - 149,526
Turner Prize 2011 - 148,518
Otherworlds: The Art of Nancy Spero and Kiki Smith - 129,505
Susan Hiller: Recall - 108,771
British Art Show 6 - 101,598
Kienholz - 141,199
Antony Gormley - 309,626
Jane & Louise Wilson: A Free and Anonymous Monument - 121,551
Yoshitomo Nara: 141,479
Mark Titchner: 106,025
Lubaina Himid: 145,777
NOTE: Visitor numbers for specific exhibitions are not available for exhibition pre-April 2003. Please do not ask for visitor figures for exhibitions that are currently running.
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RESEARCH FAQs
Can I interview a member of BALTIC staff to help me with my research or send in a list of questions for you to answer?
Unfortunately we receive a large number of requests of this nature and have found it increasingly difficult to find staff time to accommodate them. We have also found that a lot of the questions tend to be similar from person to person. Because of this we have developed a range of printed handouts covering the main themes.
Please email BALTIC stating your area of interest and ask if we can send any related material (don’t forget to include your postal address). If you still have further questions after reading through the material please contact us again with the specific points you would like answering and we respond to the best of our ability.
BEFORE DOING ANY OF THIS YOU SHOULD LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND BALTIC+
Who are the best people to contact?
If you have a general enquiry you can contact the Library and Archive
If you have a specific department related question you can contact info@balticmill.com who will forward you message to the appropriate team
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